How to Decode Your Partner's Thoughts

Just because you and your significant other love running doesn't necessarily mean you'll be in sync out on the roads. Here are four common conversations you might encounter before or during a run (and how to navigate them without hurting each other's feelings):

She says: “Are you okay?”

She means: “I love you. I want you to know that you’re not alone and that I care.”

He hears: “It’s obvious you’re struggling. You’re a weakling.”

Solution: Don’t ask! Before you head out, say something like, “I’m going to let you tell me if something is wrong.”

He says: Nothing.

He means: Nothing. He’s focused on his running or thinking about last night’s game.

She hears: Awkward silence that begs the question, Why is he so mad? When I run with friends, we talk the entire time.

Solution: If you know your partner isn’t a talker, don’t push him or her to talk. Bring headphones to keep yourself occupied.

He or she says: “You go ahead.”

He or she means: “Really, go ahead. I don’t want to hold you back. I would rather run solo than worry about holding you back.”

She or he hears: “You’re struggling! You don’t mean that. I wouldn’t want to be abandoned.”

Solution: Decide before you run what to do if one of you starts to fade.

He says: “I’d rather run with my buddies.”

He means: “I don’t want to have to choose between my own running goals and our relationship.”

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